COMMENT: 5G IS THE KEY THAT WILL UNLOCK AUTOMOTIVE AUTONOMY - AUTOMOTIVE WORLD (PRESS RELEASE)

5G is coming this much we know. But implemented correctly, the speed and reliability of this fifth-generation telecommunications technology will help expedite the mainstream adoption of self-driving vehicles.

The next generation of cellular technology promises data transfer speeds that are hundreds of times faster than 4G can offer, and the first countries likely to launch the upgraded network are China, South Korea and the US.

Meanwhile, automakers see a huge number of potential applications for 5G, and chief among them is high-level vehicle autonomy. For driverless technology, which needs the capacity to operate with minimal latency and maximum reliability, 5G is the ideal candidate for enabling safe and stable functioning.

5G also promises to benefit drivers day-to-day lives faster connectivity means a better flow of information, which could lead to commuters spending less time in traffic, reducing stress, improving productivity and delivering associated environmental benefits

The term V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) refers to a vehicles ability to communicate with its surroundings, including other vehicles. The speed at which a vehicle is able to complete these operations will determine how quickly it can react to danger.

For a long time, the only viable candidate for this role was digital short-range communication (DSRC), a Wi-Fi-based communications system. However, because ...